UPDATED: Police apprehend suspect that prompted East Lyme school lockdown

Published August 04. 2014 10:07AM | Updated August 04. 2014 10:01PM

Izaskun E. Larrañeta

East Lyme — Several schools hosting summer programs were placed in lockdown Monday during a search for a man who had abandoned a stolen vehicle on the highway and led police on a foot chase.

Thomas Schmidt, 30, was charged with third-degree larceny, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana and driving without a license and interfering with a police officer.

The East Lyme Middle School and the Lillie B. Haynes School were placed on lockdown as police conducted their search of the area. The library and community center were temporarily closed, according to their Facebook page.

Police said Schmidt was caught before noon in the area of exit 73 off Interstate 95.